"The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH), Thailand, has issued a draft Notification under the Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979) to formally establish quality, safety, processing, and labeling standards for goat milk and flavored goat milk products. The Notification addresses regulatory gaps for these products, which are currently marketed as beverages in hermetically sealed containers without product-specific standards.

Under the proposed measure, goat milk and flavored goat milk are designated as foods with prescribed quality or standards, ensuring enhanced consumer protection and harmonized product quality across the market. The Notification defines key product categories, including goat milk, reconstituted goat milk, flavored goat milk, and their powdered and reconstituted variants.

The regulation introduces mandatory sterilization and pasteurization requirements, specifying acceptable time–temperature combinations for pasteurization, as well as conditions for sterilization and UHT processing. Alternative processes may be permitted subject to approval by the Thai Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Detailed microbiological, compositional, and physicochemical criteria are established for liquid and powdered products, including minimum milk protein and milk solids–non-fat (MSNF) levels, moisture limits for powders, and strict limits for pathogenic microorganisms such as Escherichia coli. Additional provisions address contaminants, veterinary drug residues, and the controlled use of food additives, all of which must comply with existing MoPH Notifications.

The Notification further mandates compliance with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), approved food containers, and existing Thai regulations on nutrition and health claims. Specific labeling requirements are introduced, requiring clear identification of product type (e.g., goat milk, flavored goat milk, reconstituted forms) and processing method (pasteurized, sterilized, UHT).

Manufacturers and importers currently authorized under regulations for beverages in hermetically sealed containers are granted a two-year transition period from the effective date to fully comply with the new requirements.

Key Regulatory Points

  • Goat milk and flavored goat milk are classified as foods with prescribed quality or standards
  • Clear legal definitions introduced for:
  • Goat milk and goat milk powder
  • Reconstituted goat milk
  • Flavored goat milk and reconstituted flavored goat milk
  • Mandatory pasteurization, sterilization, or UHT processing, with defined time–temperature criteria
  • Strict microbiological limits, including absence of E. coli
  • Minimum compositional requirements for:
  • Milk protein
  • Milk solids–non-fat (MSNF)
  • Powdered products subject to moisture and bacterial count limits
  • Compliance required with existing MoPH rules on:
  • Contaminants
  • Veterinary drug residues
  • Food additives
  • Food containers
  • GMP
  • Enhanced labeling requirements, including product name and processing method
  • Nutrition and health claims must follow existing Thai claim regulations

Two-year compliance transition period for existing authorized products"
 

Source
https://www.epingalert.org/en/Search/Index?viewData=G%2FSPS%2FN%2FTHA%2F806
Consumer News Region
Consumer News Tags
Thailand, Ministry of Public Health, Goat Milk, Flavored Goat Milk.